First Look at Deep-Cut Superman Villain Played by Guardians of the Galaxy Actor Revealed

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James Gunn, director of Superman, recently posted on social media (previously Twitter) a sneak peek of a lesser-known DC Comics villain set to appear in the movie. The image is a snapshot from the film set showing actor Stephen Blackehart portraying Sydney Happersen. Although the scene’s purpose isn’t yet clear, it seems that Sydney finds himself in a troubling situation, as he appears to be emitting an unusually loud yell at something not visible within the frame. According to Gunn’s description, this sequence was filmed more than a year ago during the main filming of Superman.

Encounter Stephen Blackehart portraying Sydney Happersen in the film Superman. On set, Gunn shared that Blackehart’s appearance is reminiscent of the comic book character, complete with a mustache and glasses. See Gunn’s post below:

On set, observe Stephen Blackehart portraying Sydney Happersen in the real-time monitor feed of #Superman on May 15, 2024.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) June 25, 2025

For those who aren’t regular moviegoers, the name Sydney Happersen might not resonate, but it should spark recognition among dedicated DC comic enthusiasts. In the world of comics, Sydney is a trusted ally to Lex Luthor, recognized for his exceptional scientific skills. This character was brought to life by John Byrne and made his debut in Superman Vol. 2 #2 from 1987. Regrettably, in the comic books, Sydney passed away in Action Comics #700 from 1994.

In another instance, Blackheart is an actor similar to Superman, having worked with Gunn before. He took on the role of Ravager Brahl in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and also portrayed Steemie Blueliver in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Suicide Squad, where he played Briscoe. Gunn has disclosed that several actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy series will appear in Superman, with Pom Klementieff and Michael Rooker providing voices for robots assisting Superman within the Fortress of Solitude.

In light of Superman’s characteristics, it’s not unexpected that a character like Sydney Happersen appears in the movie. Since Lex Luthor has been set as the main antagonist, it’s logical that his trusted assistant would be by his side. With Lex trying to counteract Superman, utilizing Happersen’s scientific expertise could give him an advantage. It’s also suitable that the director, Gunn, who is recognized for highlighting lesser-known comic characters, is the one introducing Sydney Happersen in the film. It will be intriguing to see what Gunn plans for the scientist. Given his role as a supporting character, there’s potential for Happersen to create an engaging dynamic with Lex that general audiences haven’t seen before.

In a touching and humorous manner, Superman promises an engaging superhero tale. Gunn has consistently shown his knack for blending heartfelt moments with clever humor. Sydney Happersen might serve as a source of laughter in Superman; despite its plausibility (it could be from the scene showcasing Superman fighting a kaiju in Metropolis), the facial expression appears overdone, hinting at comedic relief for the audience. The upcoming Superman movie boasts an impressive cast, and we hope that Happersen played by Blackehart will leave a lasting impression in the DC Universe.

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2025-06-25 22:09